The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-12-29
Difficulty in Obtaining Facts,

To the Western Associated Press.
PHILADELPHIA, Dec 2S-There was feeling
of uncertainty in Port Richmond all day. and
there was soma hesitation about going on a
second strike. Still, it appeared that soma sort
of an order had gone forth; and at noon 700 of
the coal-handlers quit work. The leaders
claimed that they had gone strike, but the
representatives of the company denied this and
declared that they had quit work because Of the
rain and also that there work to do by
reason of the "top" work being slack. This has
been the sit nation all afternoon, the statements
of the men and the represen tatives of the com
papy being exactly opposite each other as to the
status of the difficulty. At the time the coal
handlers quit there ten steam col
liers, six barges, five sailing yes
at the Port Richmond wharves waiting for car
goes of coal. The men say there is excuse
for sending policemen to the scene and they say
that they anxious the company that no
property shall be damaged. It was learned this
afternoon that the crews of each of ten Reading
colliers had been discharged for insubordination.
The insubordination is said to consist of a viola
ton of the Shipping articles in refusing to take
the vessels out when ordered to do Each
crew numbered fifteen men, or I50 in ALL Their
places have not yet been filed.
All along the Reading lines in this CITY, run
ming into the different stations trains seem to
be running usual and TO the casual observer
indication of trouble would appear. With
the exception of the coal handlers at Port Rich
mond there does not appear to be any trouble;
dIligent inquiry has failed to reveal the true
situati on, and although the order for the strike
is generally believed to nave been issued by
John l.. Lee. chairman of the executive com
mittee of the Philadelphia & Reading
railroad employees convention,
this point cannot be definitely
learned. The entire trouble seems to bear with
it cloud of mystery which cannot, far, be
penetrated. A meeting of Port Richmond coal
handlers local assembly held this afternoon
asm is said to have been manifested. 1t was
reported that the men on strike; that the
strike order was intended to become general and
that the real struggle with the company was
stevedores doing work at Port Richmond piers
were strike, and intended remain firm
with the coal handlers. Dispatcher Goodman
said at this afternoon that freight had been
moved regularly all day. All the men who re-
suuced after the strike Tuesday continued at
edge of the new order to strike Mr.. Goodman
said that he had been told by number of men
during the day that if there was an order to
strike they would probably not obey it.
The following notice was posted at the Will
low street wharf Office tonight:
A reward of 8 900 viii be paid any person, or
persons who will furnish evidence which Will lead
the and conviction of any person. or persons
guilty OF violence TO the company employees prop
erty. la SwEIGARD
General Superintendent.
At to-nights meeting of assembly 62S5 the
following resolution was unanimously adopted:
Whereas. The Reading abroad combination have
struck direct blow organization by discharg
ing and victmizing its members; therefore,
We as the Banner Local Assembly Of the Phiadel-